Mercedes-Benz’s North West dealership opened its doors to customers this week, creating 20 new full-time jobs.

The new 20,000 sq ft state-of-the-art dealership has been developed by the Connolly Motor Group in a building in a prime location in Sligo, which had been standing vacant since the recession.

It will be one of the largest Mercedes-Benz dealerships – and one of the most high-tech motor dealerships - in the country with Connolly’s investing €4.5 million into the project.

Located in Collooney, Co. Sligo, it will be the main Mercedes-Benz passenger car dealership for sales – and after-sales services – covering all of the North West region.

The opening of the new dealership will extend the number of Mercedes-Benz main dealers nationwide to 14.

The new jobs in Sligo increase the number of full-time employees at the Connolly Motor Group to 183. Run by brothers Kevin and Neil Connolly, it one of the biggest motor groups in the country and already has Audi and Volkswagen dealerships in Sligo and Ballina as well as the Audi dealership in Galway.

As well as selling the brand-new models in the Mercedes-Benz range, the company will be offering aftersales services to the current Mercedes-Benz drivers in the region. Until now, Mercedes drivers in the region had to travel to Athlone, Cavan or Dublin for repairs or servicing.

The showrooms will have space to display up to 15 cars. The premises will also house a customer reception and individual sales offices.

The facility will also have a 10-bay workshop featuring the most state-of-the-art equipment including four-wheel alignment and the latest diagnostic computers.

It will also have a pre-delivery inspection centre, an extensive parts and accessories department and sales counter. The dealership will also have innovative private customer work stations, which would include desks, free Wi-Fi, charging points and allow customers to do work while their car is being worked on.

Neil Connolly said: “We are delighted to be opening the doors to Connollys Mercedes-Benz tomorrow and look forward to dealing with customers from across the North West. The creation of another 20 new full-time jobs in Sligo is a source of pride for Kevin and I as we expand the Connolly Motor Group in the North West.

“We are also happy to be breathing new life into a building that had been lying vacant in Collooney. It is also a great sense of pride that one of the first thing visitors will see driving into Sligo is a brand such as Mercedes-Benz as it shows great confidence in the county and the region.